title: Pulmonary nodules: a quantitative method of diagnosis by evaluating nodule perimeter difference to approximate oval using three-dimensional CT images.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether maximum nodule perimeter to the approximate oval could discriminate benign nodules from malignancy. Measurement of maximum nodule perimeter difference to the approximate oval was performed using volume-rendering images of three directions of each pulmonary nodule. The margin was then traced manually and our custom software delineated the approximate oval automatically. The maximum nodule perimeter difference was 26.5±23.3 mm for malignant and 16.6±16.9 mm for benign nodules, showing an almost statistically significant difference (P=.07). This study suggests that the maximum nodule perimeter difference to the approximate oval of the malignant nodules has a tendency to be longer than benign nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, Japan. e954123@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Sadayuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Yasumasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kakinohana
authors.forename: Tetsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyara
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*